Developing financial know-how will lead you to create a financial plan, either on your own or with the help of a professional.

Entrusting another person with your hard-earned cash can be a nerve-wracking experience. Not only are you placing your financial future in another person’s hands, but oftentimes investors feel as though they are blindly making decisions because they lack knowledge of basic personal finance concepts.

Throw in headlines calling out the questionable and sometimes downright unethical business practices of some financial institutions, and it seems consumers’ trust has all but disappeared completely.

If you decide to tackle financial planning on your own and are a novice investor, diving into the world of finance can be overwhelming.

The first step in getting a handle on your finances is to get a big picture of your current state. Using a free money management tool like Mint.com allows you to see your income, debts, assets, and spending habits all in one place.

Whether your financial goals include saving for a summer vacation, building an emergency fund, or growing your retirement savings, you need to know where you stand in order to get where you need to be.

If you decide to work with a professional or prefer to take your financial planning into your own hands, becoming financially literate will help you make smart decisions about how your money is invested.

On September 29th, the Financial Planning Association of New York and NYU SCPS are hosting an all day Financial Fitness Workshop in Manhattan.

During the workshop, you will have the opportunity to sit in on a choice of sixteen sessions offered to take steps towards becoming financially literate.

It’s a great deal at only $40 per person (breakfast and lunch included). All net proceeds to be donated to Project Renewal, a local charity providing homeless New Yorkers with everything they need to move from the streets to health, homes and jobs.

“Get Your Finances in Shape with a One-Day Financial Fitness Workshop” was provided by The Financial Planning Association of New York’s Public Awareness Committee. More information can be found on the FPANY website.

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